dimanche 1 février 2015

What Causes Ice Dams And How We Can Prevent Their Occurrence

By Ines Flores


Winter has a lot of effects, both negative and positive. However, the bad effects have over time outweighed the positive ones. The negative effects include among others, the formation of ice dams. The dams are accumulations of ice forming on the roofs, thus preventing the water which is melting from roof from draining. This undraining water has a lot of effects, including leaking into the house, causing harms on the walls, ceiling destruction among others. The city of Wauwatosa, WI has been affected by these and the causes and solutions explained below will help assist the residents.

The dams are caused by some dependent situations. First, there must be certain interactions of atmosphere temperatures, house heat losses and snow covers. There must be snow covering roofs for these dams to form. At the same time however, the upper section of a roof must be having temperatures above 32F, and the lower part having lower temperature.

This condition of temperatures must be consistent for a long period of time. The size of ice dam is directly proportional to the amount of melting water. The lower temperature is the one responsible for the limiting of the ice dam. After the water has accumulated, they start escaping through the cracks found on the outside roof. They thereafter flow through the attic space. The water then moves over to the ceiling. This will eventually stain the finishing of ceiling. The major cause of the ice dam is the snow. This is because snow is one of the greatest insulators.

The dams are majorly caused by difference in roof surface temperatures. These dams are found mainly at the roof edges. This means that there is a source of heat somewhere. This heat majorly comes from the house through either chimney or otherwise. Solar heat cannot influence this temperature difference.

There are three ways in which heat is transferred to roof surface namely: convection- which is the heat transfer through solid, convection-transfer of heat via air and radiation- heat transfer via electromagnetic waves. These transfers can be evidently seen when heat is transmitted through ceiling or even when you literary put your hand over a hot pan.

Another source of heat is the exhaust system in the kitchen and the bathroom. These particular systems can terminate a roof above them and eventually the heat is going to leak. The continuous use of wood stoves also causes some heat to move up through the chimney and eventually to roofs.

We can however prevent these pandemics by taking some precautions. The first thing we can do is to prevent the heat which comes from the house. However, start with removing all the snow which is on the roof. By doing this you are doing away with the causes of the dams. To remove this snow, use something that will not damage roof.

In case of long term prevention, one should make the house ceiling to be air tight. From there, it is advisable to increase the insulation of a roof. Immediately you identify the air leakages, it is recommendable you apply the above precautions. It is also very important to have air ventilation in order to reduce the amount of heat going up to the ceiling.




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